Journalists across the political spectrum faced tough times in the new year: Police arrested opposition editors, and the editor in chief of the largest pro-government newspaper group stepped down under what regional media describe as political pressure.

Malaysia's Nov. 29 general elections resulted in a strong win for Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his National Front Coalition. But the victory was not a watershed, as Mahathir now faces more opposition that at any time in his 18-year rule.